Ethiopian Athletics Doping Concerns and Recent Racing Results

The use of performance-enhancing drugs (doping) in Ethiopian athletics has reached an alarming level, according to a consultative meeting held by the Athletics Federation and the Anti-Doping Authority. Reports indicate that 69 athletes tested positive in the last nine years, with 20 cases confirmed in 2026 alone. Experts have proposed strict measures against offenders, including asset seizure and imprisonment.

Meanwhile, Ethiopian athletes dominated recent international races. At the Istanbul Marathon, Ethiopian women swept the top four spots, led by winner Kasanesh Ayenew. At the Hangzhou Marathon, Kemal Hussein and Kuftu Tahir won gold in the men's and women's categories, respectively. Additional successes were reported by Ethiopian athletes in recent cross-country and road races held in Spain and the United Arab Emirates.